Translink: Cut to youth discount among cost-saving plans

Under the proposals the yLink smartcard discount, which is available for 16 to 23-year-olds, would be reduced from 50% to 33%.

Off-peak day return fares on bus and rail services for both adults and children would be removed.

Some promotional fares currently on offer would also be increased by £2 each.

Translink said it was also proposing measures to make pre-purchasing of NI Railways tickets “more advantageous and convenient”.

Under the plans, customers who board without a valid ticket would only be able to purchase single tickets on board.

In its equality impact assessment document, Translink said its fare discount changes were “likely to have a disproportionate impact on younger people”.

It said younger and older customers “may be proportionately more impacted by the removal of last services”, and that some female customers “may feel proportionately more impacted”.

Launching its consultation, Translink said it was an “important opportunity for passengers, stakeholders and the wider public to share their views, external“.

“The consultation will support informed decision-making on how services are delivered across Northern Ireland, ensuring they remain as sustainable and effective as possible,” it added.

“Translink will continue to work closely with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to assess funding requirements and the level of service that can be delivered in the future.”